About

The Backstory

Since 2005, twenty women have come forward to accuse comic legend Bill Cosby of drugging, raping, sexually assaulting or otherwise molesting them, with the alleged attacks dating back to 1965, when Cosby was co-starring in the hit TV show I Spy.

Cosby has never been charged with a crime. He has recently refused to address the allegations directly on multiple occasions. One of his lawyers recently called the accusations "ridiculous," telling the media to stop publishing "unsubstantiated fantastical stories." On November 11th, Cosby smiled when I asked him if he had anything to say about the allegations.

Reacting to the negative publicity, NBC pulled the plug on Cosby's long-awaited sitcom, Netflix indefinitely postponed the release of his comedy special, TV Land stopped airing reruns of The Cosby Show, and multiple personal appearances were cancelled.

But just as Cosby's career seemed doomed, he walked onto a stage for his first public appearance in the United States since the latest allegations came to light, and he received not one but two standing ovations as he pumped his clenched fist defiantly into the air. And people -- men and women -- want to know: Why did it take them so long to come forward? Where are the rape kits? Where is the evidence? Why should I believe them?

The Bill Cosby Assault will tell the the stories of Bill Cosby's accusers and their skeptics in their own words and will explore the divide that exists in America when a woman accuses any man -- let alone "America's dad" -- of rape or sexual assault.

The Play

The Bill Cosby Assault will debut in Bill Cosby's hometown of Philadelphia in September 2015 for the 19th annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival. It will mark the 10th anniversary of the first public allegations against Bill Cosby.

The Bill Cosby Assault will tell the stories of the accusers and the skeptics through monologues, readings, dramatizations, movement and multimedia.

The Money

The Bill Cosby Assault is currently in development. The Board of Advisors for the project includes: Amy Smith (co-founder of Headlong Dance Theatre, formed in 1993 in Philadelphia); Jennifer Kidwell (actor, playwright); and James Ijames (actor, director, playwright).

The money raised here will fund the completion of the play by a writing team and director, a workshop with the actors, and some of the production costs of the 2015 Fringe Festival debut.

Risks and challenges

Writing and producing a new play is no easy task, but by partnering with some of the best theater talent in the region, we are confident that The Bill Cosby Assault will be a success. It is an important story to bring to the stage, and so that is what we are going to do.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Opening night VIP! You'll receive two tickets with reserved seating to the opening night performance of The Bill Cosby Assault in September 2015. And you'll also be invited to a special opening night party with complimentary food and beverages.

Your name will appear in the Thank You section of the program for the play during its opening run in Philadelphia in September 2015.

If you are unable to attend on opening night, your tickets will be valid for another performance.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Become an Associate Producer! You will be credited in the program as an associate producer of The Bill Cosby Assault during its September 2015 run. You will also be thanked from the stage and acknowledged as an associate producer at each September 2015 performance.

You'll also receive two tickets with reserved seating to the opening night performance of The Bill Cosby Assault in September 2015. And you'll also be invited to a special opening night party with complimentary food and beverages.

If you are unable to attend on opening night, your tickets will be valid for another performance.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Become a Co-Producer! You will be credited in the program as a co-producer of The Bill Cosby Assault during its September 2015 run. You will also be thanked from the stage and acknowledged as a co-producer at each September 2015 performance.

You and a guest will also be invited to an exclusive reading of The Bill Cosby Assault followed by a very special dinner (on us!) with members of the writing and production teams and cast.

You'll also receive two tickets with reserved seating to the opening night performance of The Bill Cosby Assault in September 2015. And you'll also be invited to a special opening night party with complimentary food and beverages.

If you are unable to attend on opening night, your tickets will be valid for another performance.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Become an Executive Producer! You will be credited in the program as an executive producer of The Bill Cosby Assault during its September 2015 run. You will also be thanked from the stage and acknowledged as an executive producer at each September 2015 performance.

You and a guest will also be invited to an exclusive reading of The Bill Cosby Assault followed by a very special dinner (on us!) with members of the writing and production teams and cast.

You'll also receive two tickets with reserved seating to the opening night performance of The Bill Cosby Assault in September 2015. And you'll also be invited to a special opening night party with complimentary food and beverages.

If you are unable to attend on opening night, your tickets will be valid for another performance.